Clamping structure for form apparatus



NGV- 9, 1954 J. BANNEYER ULAMPING STRUCTURE RoR RoRM APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1951 l :2^ 9 w y, a #MMIII l n 2 INVENTOR may@ ^ /ygyep RNEYS.

Nov. 9, 1954 J. BANNEYER CLAMPING STRUCTURE FOR FORM APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENToR: fax, pazzg@ ATTRNEYS.

United StatesPatent i CLAMPIN G STRUCTURE FOR FORM APPARATUS Joseph Banneyer, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 25, 1951, Serial No. 222,904

4 Claims. (Cl. 25-131) My invention relates to clamping structures for form apparatus. More particularly my invention relates to clamping structures for use with the form apparatus disclosed in my co-pending application U. S. Serial No. 29,294, filed May 26, 1948.

In the forming of concrete walls and the like, it is important to assure cheapness of construction that form apparatus be provided which can be quickly set up and taken down. In my co-pending application U. S. Serial No. 29,294, referred to above, I disclose a form apparatus which meets this general need. In this form apparatus the walls or floor as the case may be are formed between or on aligned groups of panels which may be of different shapes and curvatures but which are characterized by having peripheral flanges extending rearwardly and thus providing means for building up the panels one upon the other. The flanges of these panels also preferably terminate in inwardly turned ledges to assist in securing the panels together by various clamping structures. However, the clamping structures which I have heretofore used have suffered from certain disadvantages.

When clamping devices are used such as are shown in my co-pending application identified above, the positioning and removal of the clamps is a relatively time consuming operation since the screws must be turned until tight by means of a wrench or similar tool. Also, it is necessary to hold the panels in correct alignment while clamping, since the clamps do not themselves automatically position the panels. Another objection to the prior clamping structures is that they have to be relatively large and composed of strong materials to withstand any twisting or turning of the panels when the concrete is applied thereto. This problem is especially acute in connection with the installation of floors where the panels have a tendency to twist downwardly and impose a bending force on the clamps. Also, with previous clamping devices it has been necessary to compose the anges of the panels of heavier material than would otherwise be desirable.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide clamping structures for use in securing the panels together of my form apparatus which solves the above difficulties. More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide clamping devices which can be used to secure two panels together of the type utilized in my form apparatus in less time than heretofore required, and which can also be more quickly removed in disassembling the apparatus. It is another object of my invention to provide clamping structures which will automatically correctly align the panels as the flanges are clamped together. It is a further object of my invention to provide clamping structures which will snugly hold the panels against bending or twisting, and which will permit the anges and the clamp to be formed of lighter materials. It is a still further object of my invention to utilize clamping devices for holding panels together which have downwardly turned peripheral flanges in abutting relation by utilizing wedges tapered to produce a double wedging action.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

My invention is shown in illustrative embodiments in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a front View partially in section of one form of my clamping structure showing my clamping structure attached to a socket and securing the flanges of two panels of floor form together by means of tapered wedges; Fig. 2, a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 showice 2 ing the inclination of the top edge of the wedges and the means of adjusting the socket connection; Fig. 3, a top sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l showing Ithe taper of thesides of the wedges and the corresponding lnclination of the sides of the clamping arms; Fig. 4, a partial enlarged side sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the inclined engagement of the inwardly turned ends of the clamping arms with the top edge of the wedges; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the socket-mounted clamp shown in Figs. l to4; Fig. 6, a front view similar to Fig. l but showing `the panels releasably locked together by means of a block-shaped clamp and tapered wedges having reduced top portions; Fig. 7 is a side view taken in section on line 7---7I of Fig. 6 showing the engagement of the horizontal surfaces of the panel, clamp, and wedge; Fig. 8, a top sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6 showing the external appearance of the inner locked plates and clamping structure; Fig. 9, a top sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 6 showing the engagement of the vertical surfaces of the clamp, wedges, and flanges; Fig. l0, a perspective View of the block-shaped rclamp illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9; Fig. ll, a modification of the clamp shown in Fig. 10 wherein a rearward extension is provided so that the clamp can be secured to the other supporting members; and Fig. l2 is a further modification of the clamp shown in Fig. l0.

Looking first at Figs. l to 5, 10 designates panels which can be of various rectangular shapes. .Panels of this type are shown in more detail in my co-pending application U. S. Serial No. 29,294. However, for the purposes of this application it is believed to be sufficient to point out that panels 10 are characterized by having peripheral flanges 11 extending rearwardly from imperforate top portions 12. Also, flanges 11are provided at their lower ends with inwardly turned ledges 13. In the illustration given and preferably, panel tops 12 and ledges 13 are parallel to each other and disposed at right angles to flanges 11.

As seen more clearlyv in Fig.y 5, when panels 10 are to be secured together in horizontal alignment to support a concrete floor, I prefer to utilize a clamping structure designated generally as 14 which consists essentially of a socket 15 and upwardly extending arms or strips 16v secured thereto. In the illustration given, socket 15 is provided with aligned slots 17 as seen more clearly in Fig. 2. Strips 16 terminate in inwardly turned-upper ends 18. I prefer to have strips 16 extending vertically in planes which are inclined with respect to each other, and to form inwardly turnedends 18 at right angles to the edges of strips 16 and lying in a plane inclined from a horizontal plane.

Clamp 14 is used to clamp together the abutting flanges 11 of panels 10 by straddling anges 11 with strips 16. As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 ledges 13 will then rest on the top of socket 15. Tapered wedges 19 are then forced into the openings between flanges 11 and strips 16. In the illustration given and preferably wedges 19 are generally rectilinear but have a side face 20 and a top face 21 tapered so that the blocks 19 appear wedgeshaped both when viewed from the top and from the side.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 4 top 21 lies in a plane which is at the same angular relation to panel top 12 as inwardly turned strip end 18. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, wedge sides 20 are inclined to lie in the same planes as the inner surfaces of strip 16. Also, it will be noted that the bottom of wedge blocks 19 and the flange abutting sides are disposed at right angles with respect to each other so as to snugly abut anges 11 and ledges 13.

The clamp Wedge structure just described provides for wedging of clamps 14 and panels 10 in two directions; that is, both vertically and horizontally in the illustration shown. Thus, the insertion of wedge blocks 19 automatically positions and realigns the tops of tops 12 of panels 10 and snugly fastens panels 10 together. The clamp joints thus provided are of great strength and resist any turning or twisting force applied thereto because the surfaces of all members are in co-acting abutting relation and thus serve to reinforce each other.

Another feature of the structure as shown in Figs. 1,

2 and 5 is that socket 15 is' equipped with oppositelydisposed slots 17. Thus, When' a supporting post or pipe 22 is inserted within socket -17 it can be provided w1th aligned slots 23 which can b'ebrought into alignment with slots 17 and thereby ani angular wedge 24 can be used to releaseably lock socket 17 to pipe 22.v Also, wedge 24 can be m'oved inwardly or outwardly to effect the raising or lowering' of socket 15 with respect to supporting member 22.

Looking now at the form of my clamping structure shown in Figs. 6V to l0; panels 10' are seen to be formed as previously described having aligned top portions 12, anges lit and ledges 13. However, it will be understood that panels can be stacked toform vertical walls as well as the horizontal surface illustrated. In fact, I prefer to utilizey this' form of clamp` to fabricate vertical walls, as will be subsequently discussed. Y

As shown more clearly in Fig. 10 this modification of my clamping device comprises a hollow block-shaped clamping member 25' having side members 26, preferably extending at right angles to' the top or jaw portion 27 of clampy 25. Side members 26 terminate in inwardly turned end portions 28. In the illustration given and preferably side members 26 lie in planesv which are angularly related to each other so that the interior recess of clampV 25 has a' substantial taper'. Also', I prefer to similarly taper the inner edges and upper surfaces of end portionsl 28, as shown in Fig. l0. If desired, a hole 29 or other fastening adaptation can be provided in jaw portion 27 for securing clamp 25 to other supporting members such as pipes, etc'.

As seen in Figs. 6 and' 9, I `utilize wedging blocks 29 which are similar to blocks 1'9' previously described in order to achieve the desired double wedging eect. As seen more clearly in Fig. 7 the top edge 30 of blocks 29 is inclined at the same angle to a horizontal plane as the abuttingl surface' of end portion 28. Also, as seen more clearly in Figs. S and 9 clamp-abutting faces 32 of wedge blocks 29 are inclined so as to wedge betweenv and snugly engage the inner surfaces of sides 26.

I have found it advantageous to also provide wedge blocks 29 with reduced end portions 33, as seen more clearly in Fig. 6; Reduced ends 33 can be tapered on their clamp-abutting faces tov snugly engage the inner edges of end portions 28, and thus serve to make the clamped joint stronger and more rigid. Alsoit will be observed that reducedv ends 33' can be made to abut the under-surface of panel tops 12,- and thus any turning `force applied to clamps 25 will be taken' by top members `12 -as well as ledges 13.

Fig. ll shows a modiication 25a of clamp 25 wherein clampy 25y is provided with an upward extension 34 to facilitate attaching other supportingmembers to panels i0 at the clamp juncture. Extension 34 can' be provided with a bolt-receiving aperture 3S or other adaptation for securing clamp 25a to a supporting member such as a post. l

Fig. 12 shows another form ofy clamp involving my double wedgingprinciple and is designated generally as 36. lt will be noted that clamp 36 is relatively thin, but contains a tapered recess similar in configuration to the recess provided in clamp 25. `Clamp 3 6 is equipped with legs 37 terminating in inwardly turned tips 39. The interior surfaces of these members are inclined in the same way as the surfaces of lthe clamps previously described. In the illustration given, clarnp 36 has an enlarged rounded top portion 40, which can be adapted in various ways for securing supporting' members, etc. to clamp 36'.

ln the operation of clamps involving the double-wedging principle, panels 10 are brought into abutting relation and the clamps suchvas clamps 14,v and 25 are applied so as to straddle flanges I1 and wedge blocks such as blocks 19, and 29, are forced into place so as to form a joint wedged in two directions. This can be conveniently do'n'e by the use of a hammer o`r mallet, and the wedges can b`e rapidly driven into correct position. Thus, speedyqassembly of the panel structure is accomplished. Similarly, the wedges can be easily removed by striking them on the opposite end so that they will be' disengaged from the clamps.

lt will be apparent from the foregoing discussion that in my clamping structures the tapered wedges serve to producel a cooperating locking relationship between ledges 13 and the inwardly turned ends of the clamps, as well as between flanges 11 and the sides of the clamps. This double wedging result allows a strong and rigid joint to be formed between the panels even though the clamps and flanges are formed of relatively thin material, since all surfaces are reinforced' in the" joint structure.

While in the foregoing specilication, I have set forth structures in great detail for` the purposeV of illustrating embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that such details of structure' may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing. from the spirit of my inventlon'.

I claim: Y

l. In a braced form for a concrete floor, the combination of panels in said form having imperforate horizontally aligned tops and downwardly turned peripheral iianges at right angles to said top and in abutting; relation withl ea'ch other, said ilange's being provided' wit-h inwardly turned ledges at right angles to said flanges, a socket having'y upwardly extending arms lying in planes atI an acute angle to each other, said arms straddling said abutting flanges andl being equipped with inwardly turned upper ends lying in a plane inclined to the horizontal', wedges having their upper edges inclined to the horizontal and their arm-abutting faces inclined in planes parallel to the planes of. sa-id arms releasably locking said arms to said flanges and said ledges to said upper arm ends, and asupport withiny said socket.

2, In abraced form structure for receiving concrete, the combination of panels in said form having imperforate aligned tops joined to outwardly turned peripheral flanges lyingv anv abutting relation, said flanges being provided with inwardly turned ledges, a hollow' block-shaped clamp having sides disposed in planes inclined towardsy each other, said sides straddling said abutting flanges and terminating in inwardly turned end portions lying in a plane inclined to the planelof said ledges, andfwedges having a topV edge inclined in a plane parallelrtov the plane of said end portions and khaving a side inclined in aplane parallel to the plane of said' clampedrsides so that said wedges can releasably lock saidsides to said flanges and said ledgesy to' said end portions.

3. In a brace form structure for receiving concrete, the combination of two panels in said form with aligned tops and having outwardly turning peripheral flanges in abutting relation, said flanges ybeing provided with in.- wardly turned. ledges, a hollow block-shaped clamp straddling said Kabutting flanges and terminating in inwardly turned end portions, said clamp having an outward extension adapted for `securing supporting membersthereto, and tapered wedges releasably locking said sides to said flanges and said ledges to said end portions.

4; A clamp assembly for use in releasably locking two panels together having abutting flanges extending` in the same direction from their aligned, surface-forming tops and terminating inA aligned inwardly-turned ledges, comprising a clamp member received on said abutting anges with the inside face of the top portion thereof seating on said ledges and having sides disposed in planes inclined toward each other, said sides straddling said abutting tlanges and terminating in inwardly-turned endv portions lying in a plane inclined toward the plane of said ledges, and wedges having a top edge inclined in a plane parallel to the plane of said end portions and having a side inclined in a plane parallel to the plane of said clamped sides, whereby said wedges can releasably lock said sides to said flanges and said ledges to said end portions.

References Cited in the le of this patent f UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namet ate 697,447 Chartrand Apr. l5, 1902 1,234,510 Trautwein July 24, 1917 -l,250,032 Schub Dec. ll, 1917 1,536,892 Larson May 5, 1925 1,560,494 Trester Nov. 3,. 1925 1,898,319 Soule Feb. 2l, 1933 1,907,877 ROOS May 9y 1933 

